Factotum (Charles Bukowski): Book Review

What’s the book about?

As the book cover reads,

Fac.to.tum (n): A man who never had a job he liked; and never kept a job he had.

factotum- book cover

The book is about the lead character Henry Chinaski (yeah, you can guess the traits of the book’s protagonist), and his drunken journey from one job to another, whilst not leaving his tag of ‘womaniser’ in between.

This book is about survival; survival of an asshole amidst his life’s existential crisis.

Henry Chinaski keeps changing jobs from time to time, working overtime while being underpaid; and showing the reader how a dull job can suck your life out.

The book is not about a sad/happy beginning or a sad/happy ending; it’s about the journey: the journey of Henry Chinaski.

Quick Review

Character sketch- 4.5/5

Plot- 4.5/5

Writing Style 5/5

Connection with the reader- 5/5

Overall- 4.5/5

(Only if you like Bukowski, otherwise it’s 3-3.5)

Why should you try Bukowski?

Bukowski was a drunkard. A playboy. An asshole.

But,

he was a wonderful writer. He had guts to write the truth. Most of his works are semi-fiction.

You can’t copy him. His writings are spontaneous. Then, how do you write like Bukowski?